Pirates ahoy! at Dunstable’s Grove Theatre

Magic Beans Pantomimes are returning with this larger-than-life production featuring Edele Lynch of B*Witched and much-loved children’s presenter Sid Sloane.

The company’s stage version of this classic tale blends the best of storytelling, pantomime and musical theatre to create a fabulous adventure for the whole family.

Our hero Captain Smollett (Sid) must battle an onslaught of evil pirates, led by wicked Grace O’Malley (Edele) – based on a real life Irish woman from the 16th Century – and beat off a mutiny headed by ship’s cook Long John Silver.

The swashbuckling drama, first published in 1883, was originally serialised in children’s magazines and is now considered to be the original pirate tale. And its cast of bearded one-legged pirates, tropical islands, parrots and mysterious treasure maps has stood the test of time. It’s as popular today as it was when it was first released.

Edele Lynch, who started B*Witched with her twin sister in 1997, has had hits across the world including UK Number Ones C’est la Vie, Rollercoaster, I Belong to You and Blame it on the Weatherman.

Sid Sloane helped launch CBeebies and since 2002 has become one of the country’s best-loved children’s presenters.

> The Pirates of Treasure Island is at the Grove Theatre from April 3 to 5. Call 01582 602080 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk